Freebie Challenge January 2026 - "When one door closes, another opens" - Main Thread

Hylas · January 2

Step right in, step right in! We're throwing the doors wide open to the January 2026 Freebie Contest. This month is all about opening and closing doors, gates, and portals. Twinkling faery gates that lead to fantastical dimensions, welcoming doors that invite you into cozy living rooms, black holes that transport us across the universe, forbidden doors that may not be opened under any circumstances... or a portrait of Jim Morrison and "The Doors"? I'm looking forward to a revolving door of fresh ideas and creative renders!

Two more things:

Firstly, here's some freebie suggestions to get you started. No obligation to use them, but perhaps you find them helpful!
https://www.renderosity.com/freestuff/items/96337/portal-prop-for-hdri-environments
https://fantasiesrealm.com/market/vendor/summoner/magic-portal?cPath=55&;
https://www.daz3d.com/forgotten-tunnel-entrance
https://www.renderosity.com/freestuff/items/88070/entrance-daz3d-iray
https://www.renderosity.com/freestuff/items/75651/mc-e7-the-moon
https://www.renderosity.com/freestuff/items/68727/asian-wall-kit
https://www.renderosity.com/freestuff/items/76939/crypt
https://www.renderosity.com/freestuff/items/81060/props-sinister-structures
https://www.renderosity.com/freestuff/items/87514/rigged-wall-and-door-prop-corrected

Secondly, I'm presenting the rules for the freebie contest in a new way.
The rules themselves have not changed in any meaningful way, but hopefully this new presentation makes them easier to understand.
Basically, right below you will find the most important rules.
If you have further questions you can find a more thorough version of the rules attached as a PDF to this post.
Feel free to take a look... or just ask your question in this very thread, we're always happy to clarify!

So, with all that being said... the rules of the contest are:

Your entry must be a new render, especially made for this challenge.
Your entry must follow the DAZ TOS.
You may enter a maximum of 4 entries.
A minimum of five (5) Freebies must be included in your image
All Daz Bi-Weekly Freebies are allowed throughout the entire month in which they are free, as well as the following month (for a total of 2 months).
You may use a maximum of 5 paid items.
Base figures (Genesis 9, Genesis 8, etc.) as well as their basic morph packs may be used as needed. They do not count as either paid items or freebies.
DAZ Studio, Poser, Bryce, Carrara, Hexagon, and Blender are allowed.
DAZ AI Studio is not allowed. The use of image generating AI technology (midjourney, stable diffusion, etc.) is not allowed in any form.
Postwork is allowed. You must also include the raw render (before postwork) of your entry.
For a more detailed version of the rules see the PDF attached to this post; or ask your question in this thread, we're always happy to clarify!
Let's have fun and be creative with all the amazing resources that are available for free!

This contest ends on January 31st 2026.

Post your images and freebie links in this thread for link verification.
Once the links are verified, you can post your image and links in Entries Thread for judging.